I always wondered this, Where do Concept Vehicles of any make go after they are no longer needed? Do they just refit the vehicle to be a normal everyday production vehicle? Do thet just recycle it and make it into a new one?

Gonna Use Lexus as an example.
The LF-Sh, LF-A, LF-X and such, when they debut these cars at auto shows, do they have that particualar engine in them or is it maybe like some cheap 1.8 liter already in the car just to get it moving, if it does have an engine, would someone actually maybe drive it on the road just to get it to the destination (Auto Show).

Are the wheels on the cars like the LA-A,X,S,C able to be put on a production car if someone is willing to purchase them or are they just recycled or just laying in the corner of some factory collecting dust?

Just a question that always pondered in my mind. Thank You

 

as far as engine goes. They either have a fake plastic mold engine, or a crappy engine just to move it around

 

The models are kept in factory/make "museums."

They are considered works of art. I doubt that they would be demolished, unless if there are multiple versions.

 

Could you imgine if someone stole one of those concept cars? I wonder how they go about securing the area.

 

Well, most of those cars are completely non-functional. They may be able to drive for 2 miles before the engine melts all the temporary plastic components, if there is an engine at all. Most models are just exterior studies, with no interiors nor engine components.

"Real" concepts such as the LF-A in the Ring is much more exclusive. Those concepts will most likely be disassembled for non-use upon release of the production model.

 

The "Bat Mobile" was a one off concept called the Lincoln Futura.

I cant verify this, but I was told that 10 were later produced, and all made it to the TV show.

As stated earlier, most arent working models, ....but some, a very few, actually become hand crafted cars.

..........later to find themselves at the Barrett Jackson car auction as "one off concept vehicles" that fetch millions.

The actual "concept" vehicle is usually documented and stored.......(if a sucessful platform is developed)
the others are as you suggested..........scrapped.
....only for the history books.



**EDIT**...I just looked it up. George Barris took the original and made 3 hand made copies of it. Only ONE was actually produced.

 

for example, the camaro in Transformers is worth 500k, i seriously doubt they'll demolish that.

 

Concept Lexus in the movie Minority Report

For the man who has everything…. 2054 LEXUS CONCEPT CAR FROM THE MOVIE MINORITY REPORT. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! This exceptional vehicle is very likely a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity presenting itself in the form of this 2054 Lexus concept car. Call me at 818-704-**** if you are serious. The pictures do not do this car justice! There are only 3 in the world that I know of - a red one that I believe is owned by Lexus, a silver one that I believe is owned by a studio head and this one…. the only black one in the world. If you pull up next to basically any high dollar exotic, it is GAME OVER when it comes to looks and attention!

 

Yup. Some are sold to people who have high connections in the company for their private collection.

 

Basically when you say for their private collection, they just store it in their garage and shoe it off to anyone that wants to look at it? Or actually install a working engine capable of daily driving?

 

I don't think the concepts are built to meet DOT standards.

 

They had the concept Camaro at the auto show in Fort Lauderdale a couple of weeks ago. The entire car was a actual size plastic model.

 

Well it depends on the car. Some concepts do have running powertrains, they may be based on a current production car. I have read of examples where a powertrain WAS added.

The ones that do not run, are stored in a private collection. I was reading recently of a GM collector and he had many of the "Art and Science" concepts from Caddy.

 

Well that would be awesome, You can literally have an One-of-a kind vehicle that most likely only you own!
I was thinking to myself how much I would just love to drive and well own the LF-A Roadster concept. That car is simply beautiful if you were to ask me.

 

I saw a red Lexus MR a few years ago at the auto show but I think it was a dummy car. The windows were painted silver so you couldn't see inside.